1. RESOURCE WARS What is the relationship between resources and conflict? Notes from: The Anatomy of Resource Wars by Michael Renner, Worldwatch Paper #162

2. Let’s look at Angola Resources: –Diamonds & Oil Conflict: –Government & rebels fighting for control, buying weapons For them, their resources are a curse, not a blessing. -->displacement, greed, corruption

3. Conclusion: Many wars/conflicts have strong resource dimensions Resources finance violence People killed or displaced Arms trafficking Environmental destruction

4. Awareness is growing UN Panels Civil societies, NGOs Media reports

5. The underlying causes Some places --resources fund continuing conflicts originated form other factors (ideology) Some places --resources attract predators, violence to maintain control of money, not to overthrow the government

6. Repercussions of resource extraction Economic benefits accrue to the national elite or foreign investors BUT the burdens go to the locals No local input or consultation SO… locals resist --> conflicts, sabotage, human rights violations

7. Global/International/Regional Connections World market for illegal resources Arms trade --> Cross-border resource wars

8. COMPARE Conflicts: Resource Wealth: Non-renewable resources (fuel, minerals) Resource Scarcity: Things that can be looted (land, water)

9. Looking at Resource Wealth Conflicts Struggle to control or plunder resources (minerals, timber, other commodities) Have resources -->fund war -->keep access to resources -->have resources -->fund war, etc. EXAMPLE: Sudan, simplified -->Oil exports -->Govt. war against southern rebels -->Govt must expand oil production to pay for war -->Move deeper into rebel territory for oil -->Scorched earth in south to get oil -->Maintain oil exports (return to top)

10. Some History End of Cold War: 2 superpowers had been supporting Third World allies Those groups needed to rely on more criminal means to stay in power Extortion/drugs/hostages/coerced labor or Illicit trade in resources

11. Example: Diamonds “Conflict Diamonds (from conflict areas) “Illicit Diamonds” (illegally mined or stolen) “Legal Diamonds” (hard to tell which is which?)

12. State and Non-State Groups use resources to finance military activities Consider in your research: State: Sovereign right? Legitimate? Bending laws? Reporting revenue? Buying arms secretly? Rich elite? Use violence to depopulate resource-rich areas? Non-State: Rebels Secessionists Warlords More criminal than political Force civilians to work for them Kidnapping/ransoms

13. Concepts to look at “Point” vs. “Diffuse” resources (diamonds in a mine vs. diamonds in a riverbed-- controlled by one group or available to many) “Lootability”--easier to plunder, oil vs. lumber or diffuse diamonds “Obstructability”--ability to block shipment (must pay who is in power, rebels can extort payments)

14. Resource wealth has impacts on frequency, duration, and intensity of conflicts: VIOLENCE: against civilians, for intimidation, drives people away NOT competing for people’s hearts Therefore: atrocities, expulsions, landmines, blockades, sexual violence Force locals (esp. children) to commit atrocities so they can’t return home & are traumatized

15. The Resource Curse Conflict <--combination of factors (weak, repressive, undemocratic govt.) (Australia has lootable resources but no conflict)

16. Some factors Ample resources: Govt depends on them, doesn’t develop other sectors (agric, manuf, services) Under-invests in educ. & health No economic diversity No development of human skills So, resource-rich countries may be worse off

17. Extractive Industries Limited # of local jobs Small pockets of wealth If exported before processing-->not integrated into local economy Susceptive to boom/bust economy Loans on future, unrealized income  foreign debt More a country depends on extraction-->worse on score of “Human Development Index” (infant mortality, child educ., rich/poor disparity, culture of corruption)

18. Resource Royalties Leaders fund patronage Leaders reward followers Leaders punish opponents Leaders not accountable to population because they do not rely on taxes for power State institutions are weakened to prevent challenges to ruler Revenues diverted to generate illicit fortunes to rulers Spend lots of money on internal arms & security

19. . Strong demand for commodities & consumer products --> Illegal resource exploitation very profitable. Connection to Consumerism and Consumption

20. Corporations? How do they contribute? Purchase hot commodities from combatants Buy timber or mined goods from rebels & warlords Ship illicit raw materials Deal with repressive governments Help procure arms for corrupt governments May not be “legally” wrong, but morally?